With the holidays coming, most families are on a tight budget but that doesn’t mean you can’t have fun. There are plenty of fun family activities in the Baltimore, Annapolis, Washington, D.C. area that are free. Check out our list of events that won’t cost you a dime to get in.
1 Sunday
First Sunday Arts Festival – Holiday Market
Live music and dance, food, arts and crafts and more. Free. Noon-5pm. First block of West and Calvert streets, Annapolis. firstsundayarts.com
2 Monday
Monday Morning Movies & More
A movie and a story. Free. 10-11am. Calvert Library Prince Frederick, Prince Frederick. 410-535-0291, 301-855-1862, calvertlibrary.info
Picture Book Month: Who Am I?
Nov. 2-30. Celebrate Picture Book Month. Identify popular children’s book characters to win a small prize. Free. 10am-8pm. Eastport-Annapolis Neck Community Library, Annapolis. 410-222-1770, aacpl.net/location/eastport
Minecraft Monday
Take turns planning and making a virtual world. Play Wii and other interactive games. Ages 11-17. Free. 7pm. Elkridge Branch Library, 410-313-5077, hclibrary.org/locations/elkridge-branch
3 Tuesday
Art Collage Party
Evening of collage art. Free. 7pm. Severn Library. 410-222-6280, aacpl.net/location/severn
4 Wednesday
Cuddle Up and Read To Me Story Time
Short stories, songs and more. Ages birth-24 months. Free. 9:15-9:35am. Calvert Library Twin Beaches Branch, Chesapeake Beach. 410-257-2411, calvert.lib.md.us/twin.html
5 Thursday
HiTech Hangount
Nov. 5, 12, 19. Drop in to play games, design a new game or study the dynamics of game design. Ages 11-18. Free. 4pm. Savage Branch, Laurel. 410-313-0760, hclibrary.org/locations/savage-branch
Paws Are Our Cause!
Help local shelter animals by making fleece braided pull toys for dogs or beds for cats. Bring an unopened bag of dog or cat food or a clean, gently used towel or blanket to be donated to the Tri-County Animal Shelter. Grades 5-7. Registration required. Free. 6:30-8:30pm. Calvert Library, Prince Frederick. 410-535-0291, calvertlibrary.info
Library Tech Then and Now
See how library technology has changed over time. Demonstrations of 3D printing, technology kits, Play and Learn Stations, iPad apps and eReading devices. Free. 6:30pm. Annapolis Regional Library. 410-222-1750, aacpl.net
A Tour of the Universe
Explore the galaxy with Anne Arundel Community College Adjunct Professor John Klinte to see how the sun compares with other stars. Free. 7pm. Crofton Community Library. 410-222-7915, aacpl.net
6 Friday
Mini Maker Faire
Nov. 6-8. Learn to make your own gadget, try out other gadgets and meet other makers. Adult and kid-friendly events. Free. Check website for times. Barnes and Noble, Annapolis. barnesandnoble.com/h/makerfaire
7 Saturday
Fun Fair and Silent Auction
Food, games and more. Free. 10am-3pm. Hillsmere Elementary School, Annapolis. hillsmerepta.org/event/fun-fair-and-silent-auction
American Indian Heritage Day
Hands-on activities, storytelling, archery and more. Free. 11am-4pm. Jefferson Patterson Park and Museum, St. Leonard. jefpat.org
Maritime Republic of Eastport’s Tug of War
Over-the-water endurance event, followed by music, dancing, food and drinks. Free. Noon. Annapolis Harbor, Annapolis. themre.org
Spaceflight America Museum Open House
Learn about the history of spaceflight in America, see the new International Space Station exhibit, visit the Kidz Zone and more. Free. 1-9pm. The Spaceflight America Museum, Prince Frederick. spaceflightamericamuseum.org
Movie and a Craft
Watch “Happiness is a Warm Blanket, Charlie Brown!” rated G. Create a Snoopy-themed craft. Free. 1-3pm. Deale Community Library, Deale. 410-222-1925, aacpl.net/location/deale
8 Sunday
Drop-in Art Activities: Landscapes
Nov. 7-29, Saturdays and Sundays. Create colorful projects to take home. Free. 11am-4pm. Walters Art Museum, Baltimore. 410-547-9000, thewalters.org
Baltimore Greek Festival
Nov. 6-8. Greek dancing, food and more. Free. Fri., 11am-11pm; Sat., 11am; Sun., noon-6pm. Greek Orthodox Cathedral of the Annunciation, Baltimore. facebook.com/BaltGreekFestival
9 Monday
Tommy Ivey Close-up Magic Show
Family-friendly performance by magicians. Bring canned food to donate for Thanksgiving. Free. 7:30pm. Christ Episcopal Church, Columbia. sam141.org
10 Tuesday
Science Night
Displays, hands-on activities and more teach chemistry, anatomy and physiology, physics, microbiology and zoology. Free. 5:30-8pm. Anne Arundel County Community College, Arnold. aacc.edu/kthrough12
B-I-N-G-O!
Play bingo with family or friends. Small prizes or books for winners. Free. 7pm. Brooklyn Park Community Library, Baltimore. 410-222-6260, aacpl.net/location/brooklynpark
Calvert Library Celebrates Military Families
Learn about local resources available to military families and enjoy favorite military anthems and other songs. Free. 7-8:30pm. Calvert Library Prince Frederick, Prince Frederick. 410-535-0291, 301-855-1862, calvertlibrary.info
11 Wednesday
Let’s Talk Turkey
Stories about Thanksgiving and a craft. Free. 3:30pm. Booklyn Park Library, Baltimore. 410-222-6260, aacpl.net/location/brooklynpark
Chess Club
Play chess and learn from other players. All ages and skills. Free. 6pm. Odenton Library. 410-222-6277, aacpl.net/location/odenton
12 Thursday
Storybook Friends
A story and a craft. Ages 2-5. Free. 10:15am. Howard County Library System Central Branch, Columbia. 410-313-7800, hclibrary.org/locations/central-branch
Movie Night
Watch “The Nightmare Before Christmas,” rated PG. Free. 6:30pm. Brooklyn Park Community Library, Baltimore. 410-222-6260, aacpl.net/location/brooklynpark
Click next below for more free events in November
